INS Shivaji had its humble origin as replacement for the ‘Stokers' Training School' at HMIS Dalhousie, in Naval Dockyard (Bombay). Commissioned by the then Governor of Bombay Sir John Colville as HMIS Shivaji on 15 February 1945 it became INS Shivaji on 26 January 1950. Since then Shivaji has dynamically evolved into a premier technical training institution of the Navy keeping pace with the fast changing technology in all facets of marine engineering.

        To provide scope for further expansion and to isolate the trainee sailors from the country's politics, the Royal Indian Navy decided to shift the training establishment from Bombay to a quieter place. While the Britishers were on the lookout for a suitable location coincidentally an air accident took place in the Sahyadri Ranges. Those who came to investigate the accident found more than what they sought. Sandwiched between a sheer vertical rock face, covering the entire height of the hill range (the Tiger's Leap) on one side and another imposing rock formation (the Duke's Nose or Nagphani) on the other, was this flat piece of land. Its  tranquility and beauty held one spell bound, to be disturbed only by the occasional cry of an infant from a nearly village, Kurvande. Even today this piece of  land holds that bit of  magic to any visitor.

        This place has the right combination of all factors that contribute for a good training establishment. It has a salubrious climate, a natural outcome of its location up in the hills and wide open space, with imposing terrain for a variety of outdoor adventure activities. It was far enough from Bombay and Pune to isolate it from the maddening crowds and some of the politically explosive occurrences. No wonder this spot was immediately finalised for the establishment by Commander Nott, Chief of Staff to the Flag Officer, Bombay.

        Lieutenant Commander Joe Nuttal was given the responsibility of executing the move under the guidance of Lieutenant Commander John Coverdale Smith, the officer-in-charge of the Mechanical Training Establishment, who went on to become the first Commanding Officer of HMIS Shivaji.